Watch with a time-setting bezel and shaft connection

Abstract

A watch with a time-setting bezel includes a watch face containing a time-telling mechanism including at least one hand, the watch face enclosed in a casing, a rotatable bezel mounted on an annular shoulder of the casing, the rotatable bezel having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the watch face, the rotatable bezel having a cylindrical gear element fixed to the rotatable bezel and projecting into the casing, and a shaft having an axis of rotation substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the rotatable bezel, the shaft mechanically coupled to the cylindrical gear so that the rotation of the bezel drives the rotation of the shaft.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A watch with a time-setting bezel, the watch comprising:
 a watch face containing a time-telling mechanism including at least one hand, the watch face enclosed in a casing; 
 a rotatable bezel mounted on an annular shoulder of the casing, the rotatable bezel having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the watch face, the rotatable bezel having a cylindrical gear element fixed to the rotatable bezel and projecting into the casing; and 
 a shaft having an axis of rotation substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the rotatable bezel, the shaft mechanically coupled to the cylindrical gear so that the rotation of the bezel drives the rotation of the shaft, the shaft engaging a first gear element within the watch so that rotation of the shaft drives rotation of the first gear element. 
 
     
     
       2. The watch of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is mechanically coupled to the cylindrical gear by a special cannon pinion having a pinion gear that engages the cylindrical gear element. 
     
     
       3. The watch of  claim 1 , wherein the first gear element is engaged with the time-telling mechanism so that rotation of the first gear element drives rotation of the at least one hand to set a time. 
     
     
       4. The watch of  claim 1 , wherein the first gear element is engaged with a date display mechanism so that the rotation of the first gear element drives rotation of the date display mechanism to set a date. 
     
     
       5. The watch of  claim 1 , wherein the first gear element is engaged with a spring winding mechanism so that the rotation of the first gear element drives rotation of the spring winding mechanism to wind a spring. 
     
     
       6. The watch of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is axially movable to disengage from the first gear element and engage with a second gear element within the watch. 
     
     
       7. The watch of  claim 6 , wherein the second gear element is engaged with the time-telling mechanism so that rotation of the second gear element drives rotation of the at least one hand to set a time. 
     
     
       8. The watch of  claim 6 , wherein the second gear element is engaged with a date display mechanism so that the rotation of the second gear element drives rotation of the date display mechanism to set a date. 
     
     
       9. The watch of  claim 6 , wherein the second gear element is engaged with a spring winding mechanism so that the rotation of the second gear element drives rotation of the spring winding mechanism to wind a spring. 
     
     
       10. The watch of  claim 6  further comprising a push button projecting from the casing, the push button mechanically coupled to the shaft, so that pushing the push button moves the shaft axially between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
       11. The watch of  claim 10  further comprising a lever in the casing, the lever comprising:
 a proximal end mechanically coupled to the push button so that when the push button is pushed into the case, the proximal end moves further into the case; 
 a fulcrum about which the lever pivots; and 
 a distal end mechanically coupled to the shaft, so that when the shaft is in the second position and the proximal end moves further into the case, the distal end moves the shaft outward from the first position to the second position. 
 
     
     
       12. The watch of  claim 10  further comprising a removable cap that covers the push button. 
     
     
       13. The watch of  claim 6 , wherein the shaft is axially movable to disengage from the second gear element and engage with a third gear element within the watch. 
     
     
       14. The watch of  claim 13 , wherein the third gear element is engaged with the time-telling mechanism so that rotation of the third gear element drives rotation of the at least one hand to set a time. 
     
     
       15. The watch of  claim 13 , wherein the third gear element is engaged with a date display mechanism so that the rotation of the third gear element drives rotation of the date display mechanism to set a date. 
     
     
       16. The watch of  claim 13 , wherein the third gear element is engaged with a spring winding mechanism so that the rotation of the third gear element drives rotation of the spring winding mechanism to wind a spring. 
     
     
       17. The watch of  claim 13  further comprising a push button projecting from the casing, the push button mechanically coupled to the shaft, so that pushing the push button moves the shaft axially between the first position, the second position and the third position. 
     
     
       18. The watch of  claim 17  further comprising a lever in the casing, the lever comprising:
 a proximal end mechanically coupled to the push button so that when the push button is pushed into the case, the proximal end moves further into the case; 
 a fulcrum about which the lever pivots; and 
 a distal end mechanically coupled to the shaft, so that when the shaft is in the second position and the proximal end moves further into the case, the distal end moves the shaft outward from the second position to the third position. 
 
     
     
       19. The watch of  claim 17  further comprising a removable cap that covers the push button. 
     
     
       20. A method for controlling a watch using a rotatable bezel, the method comprising:
 providing a watch having a keyless work including a shaft that may be selectively engaged to a rotatable bezel, the shaft engaging a first gear element within the watch so that rotation of the shaft drives rotation of the first gear element; and 
 rotating the bezel to control the watch.